First Grasp of Power (1)

An hour later, Zhao Chen returned to the villa.

At this moment, it was the only place he could call his "rear base."

Some alliances needed to be reinforced.

Some arrangements needed to be conveyed face-to-face.

When he pushed open the heavy Oak Door, he did not find the cold emptiness he had expected.

Warm light spilled out, and the comforting aroma of food filled the air, driving away the chill of the winter night.

Wang Ma was still on vacation, so Su Wantang had cooked personally.

Several light home-style dishes sat on the Dining Table, giving off wisps of steam.

She was sitting on the Sofa in the Living Room, engaged in whispered conversation with someone else—Chen Xi.

When she saw Zhao Chen enter, Su Wantang immediately rose to her feet. Her eyes held concern, but also a sense of relief.

Chen Xi rose as well. He was still dressed with a counselor's composed restraint, but the way he looked at Zhao Chen had completely changed. There was now cautious observation and anticipation in his gaze.

"I was the one who asked Xi Jie to come."

Su Wantang explained softly as she walked over to Zhao Chen and naturally took the coat he had removed.

"I thought the two of you needed to talk as soon as possible. Dinner is ready, so let's talk while we eat."

There were no excessive pleasantries or questions, only a thoughtful arrangement born from deep understanding.

Warmth stirred in Zhao Chen's heart, and he nodded.

The atmosphere at the Dining Table was somewhat subtle, but not awkward.

Three people, each with their own thoughts, yet bound tightly together by various ties, sat around a simple home-cooked meal.

Zhao Chen did not hide anything. Nor was there any need for him to.

He briefly described the confrontation at the Detention Center, the agreement his father had signed, and the bloodbath in the Hong Kong Stock Market that day.

"Tomorrow, I'll convene a Temporary Board Meeting." Zhao Chen set down his chopsticks, his gaze sweeping across Su Wantang and Chen Xi.

"The first priority is to confirm my position as Acting Chairman and complete the legal procedures. Then, I need to immediately understand the company's true Financial Situation, especially the Cash Deficit."

He looked at Su Wantang. "Wantang, you need to attend with me tomorrow. Your identity and stance are important."

The form of address, "Wantang," made Su Wantang's entire body tremble. He had never called her that before.

A taboo-breaking sensation made her whole body go numb.

Without the slightest hesitation, she nodded gently. "All right. What do I need to prepare?"

"Just be there," Zhao Chen said. Then he turned to Chen Xi. "Teacher Chen, your work..."

"I've already submitted my resignation." Chen Xi pushed up his glasses, his tone calm yet firm.

"The process will take time, but I can freely arrange my own time. Tomorrow, I can attend as your Private Advisor. What do you need me to do?"

"Observe, record, analyze." Zhao Chen spoke three words.

"Especially Lin Wanqing, and the reactions of several directors who may waver. You're a new face, and you have an 'academic background.' They won't be too guarded against you at first."

Chen Xi understood. "Understood. I'll be ready."

This simple dinner was like a small joint meeting before battle.

There were no impassioned speeches, only clear divisions of objectives and calm confirmation.

Trust flowed silently, and the alliance was reinforced through concrete matters.

After dinner, Chen Xi left first to make preparations.

Su Wantang went to the Kitchen to clean up, while Zhao Chen went upstairs alone and returned to his long-unoccupied yet still tidy bedroom.

He did not turn on the lights. He walked to the window and looked out at the deep night and the scattered lights in the distance.

December 10th, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.

Henglong Group Headquarters Building, Top Floor Conference Room. The atmosphere was so heavy it seemed water could be wrung from it.

The directors were all present around the Oval Long Table, along with every executive above the rank of Deputy Director, who had come to observe.

Every face bore varying degrees of anxiety, scrutiny, or confusion.

Lin Wanqing sat beside the seat that had originally belonged to Zhao Jianguo. Her makeup was still exquisite, but the shadows beneath her eyes and her tightly pressed lips revealed her tension.

Liu Mingyu sat below her, his head lowered as he flipped through documents, not daring to meet anyone's gaze.

Zhao Chen sat at the other end of the long table, while the main seat remained temporarily vacant.

He wore a well-fitted dark suit, with little expression on his face. His youthful appearance formed a subtle contrast with the grim atmosphere.

Su Wantang sat quietly in the observer seats behind and beside him, while Chen Xi sat on the other side with a Laptop open before him, looking like a diligent secretary.

The meeting proceeded according to protocol.

After Zhang Qingxue presented the legally binding agreement documents, although some eyes flickered with uncertainty, the resolution appointing Zhao Chen as Acting Chairman was still passed amid complicated silence.

Power had completed its nominal transfer.

Next, his proposal to appoint himself as General Manager was also passed in silence.

After all, he now held 70% of the voting rights. Even if everyone disagreed, he could force it through.

"Thank you all for your trust." Zhao Chen spoke, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"The situation is critical. I'll skip the pleasantries. First, I need to understand the company's true condition. Director Lin—"

His gaze shifted to Lin Wanqing. "Please report the group's currently available cash reserves, as well as the hard debts coming due within the next month, especially those involving banks and trusts."